Wild front rips through Canterbury, severe weather watch for parts of south

A wild front which whipped through Canterbury last night led to more than 20 calls for help to emergency services.

Fire and Emergency had 22 call outs in the region in the two-and-a-half hours from 6pm until 8.30pm yesterday evening.

A spokesperson said it was a short-lived whirlwind, which caused trees to come down and damaged iron roofing.

MetService said the front has now completely eased.

But there's another severe weather watch in place warning of gales for Stewart Island, and coastal parts of Southland, Clutha and Dunedin, south of Otago.

People should brace themselves for high temperatures across the country this weekend, thanks to a high coming from Australia, MetService said.

For those trick-or-treating tonight for Halloween, MetService has put together a special forecast.